DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2020.v08i01.049

Pages: 264-267

Momordica charantia is a medicinal plant found mainly in East Africa and Asia. It is applied in folklore remedies in the treatment of diabetes, cough etc. The plant has been reported to contain important substances especially necessary for erythropoiesis. This study investigated the effects of the leaves of Momordica charantia on haematological parameters of male wistar rats. The animals were divided into three (3) groups of six (6) rats each. Group one (1) served as control and received distilled water. Group two (2) and group three (3) rats were treated with 200mg/kg bw and 400mg/kg bw of the hydromethanolic extract of the leaves of Momordica charantia respectively, for a period of 30 days. The results indicated that the extract did not significantly (p<0.05) affect the red blood cell count, packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration. The white blood cell (WBC) count and platelet count were significantly increased following extract administration. This study has shown that the extract may be useful in promoting haemostasis due to observed increase in platelets counts, in male wistar rats.